An Indian man travelling with his friend in Waikato died in a car accident on Thursday, August 29, the circumstances of which are being investigated by the Serious Crash Unit.

The deceased was identified as Kieran Goerge Jose, a resident of Waikato working as a nurse with Waikato District Health Board.

Friends of the deceased told The Indian Weekender that Kieran was married seven months ago and had applied for his wife’s visitor visa with Immigration New Zealand. Mr Jose came to New Zealand three and a half years ago and was on a resident visa here.

Police media last Thursday reported that one man was killed and three injured in a two-car collision in Paeroa-Tahuna Road, Otway, Waikato.

The three other injured in the accident were taken to the hospital with moderate injuries to Waikato and Thames Hospital.

Auckland Malayali Samajam, a community organisation based in Auckland, came forward to complete the official procedure with the Indian High Commission to repatriate his body to his hometown in Kerala, India.

A community viewing was held for the deceased on Saturday, August 31 at Parish of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, on 66 Main Highway in Ellerslie which was attended by over one hundred community members.

Mr Jose’s body was repatriated on Wednesday, September 4, via Singapore Airlines to Kerala, India where his last rites will be performed.

“The President and executive committee of Auckland Malayali Samajam express their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Kindly join all our prayers for eternal peace to the departed soul,” Auckland Malayali Samajam posted on Facebook.

Deceased Mr Jose was travelling with his friend Nithin from Waihi when this accident occurred.

Mr Nithin told The Indian Weekender that he fell asleep on the front passenger’s seat when he felt the vehicle skidding, and the accident occurred.

Mr Nithin added that he has no memory of what happened next as he went unconscious; the next thing he remembers was being taken to the hospital.

Mr Nithin came to New Zealand as a nursing student in February 2018 and was friends with Mr Jose for some time.